Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-15
KENNA INTERVIEWED
on THR SENATORIAL SITUATION AND THE
LEGISLATURES DUTY.
Hs Is Somewhat Rsicsnt But Hopeful Of Sats-
isfaetry Rssult-Mr. 0amdsn's Faithful
DemOcracy-What Speaker Rowan
Says On the Subject


about our Senatorial controversy" said
Senator Kenna, lis the possibility of this
State being deprived of one of its Senatorial
representatives until after 1885,"
'How could that happen?" l asked him.
THE question involved is one that has
never yet been passed upon-it is new
question. Now, if the Legislature should
fail to choose Senator when it convenes
it April it is very grave question whether
the Governor has the power to appoint any
one to the vacancy. When vacancy in the
Senatorial Office occurs during the recess of
the Legislature the constitution confers
upon the Governor the power to fill the
vacancy by appointment, which appoint
ment holds good until the next meeting
of the Legislature, when that body must
fill the vacancy.
"When the Legislature failed to elect and
adjourned, and Mr.. Camden's term expired,
there was a vacancy which the Governor
had the constitutional right to fill by ap-
pOintment, and his appointee continues to
hold until the next meeting of the Legisla-
| TUE, but no longer
'DO understand. from this that Mr.
Lucas term expires with the convening of
the Legislature in April under Governor
! Wilson's call?"
THAT is certainly the case, and there
intervenes the difficult problem: Does the
vacancy occasiOned by the limitation of
Mr.. Lucas term to the next meeting of the
Legislature happen during the session of
the Legislature or during u recess? If
during the latter, the right of the Governor
to fill the vacancy is undisputed; if the
former, it is extremely doubtful about his
power to appoint His right to appoint is
limited to vacancy occurring during the
recess. As soon rs the Legislature con-
venes and organizes the term of Mr.. Lucas
expires, and vacancy occurs during the
session. Now, suppose the next session
inherits the controversy of the last, and
fails to elect a senator, the power Of the
| Governor to fill the vacancy is extremely
doubtful, and the grave danger arises of
West Virginia being deprived of one vote
in the Senate for two years"
This is rather an unpleasant condition
of affairs" | suggested.
Extremely So" replied the Senator,
land much to be deplored by all Demo-
Gratis. ! have been 10th to discuss this
subject, trusting to an harmonious out
come to the controversy. All things in
nature, you know, move by fixed laws, and
| if these laws are checked or interiered
with, q cOnvulsiOn enSues and dire and
often disastrous results ensue. Now the
worlds of society and politics, like the
world of nature, are moved by fixed laws,
and when they are broken in upon con-
yulsiOn ensueS, which leads TO all sorts of
complications until things assert and re-
adjust themselves. The fixed political
laws have been broken in upon, and it is
hard to tell what the final result may be or
where it will end or lead to-
'Will the existing troubles lead to Dem
ocratic disaster in the State?"
II do not anticipate that they will. Our
party has the faculty OF composing its in
ternal difficulties after the opposing fac
tions have clawed each other TO one an
others satisfaction. Since this factiOnal
contest had to come, it is fortunate that it
came at this time. In 1854 it would have
| lost us the State: had it been deferred
until 1888, it would have been equally
disastrous.
"Then you look for present difficulties
to be out of the way by the next election"
Certainly; there is no reason why they
should not be- | am inclined To think
that when the Legislature meets in April,
it will reach n satisfactory solution of the
trouble | am told that very recent de
velOpments point to this with reason
able degree of certainty
''In the pending faCtiOnal dispute there
are no vital principles at stake?'
| "NOne, | think"
at is not question of fostering monop-
Olies, and the corrupting power of money
in politics.
INV dear sir, 80 far rs those who have
most persistently and fondly missed il
are concerned, it is a question of few
men getting Office-thrOugh the machinery
of the Democratic party, if poSsible-if
not, then by any irregular method that
may offer. -
"HOw has Mr.. Camden squared his con-
duct with the recognized methods oil his
party
Gas true as die. He never halted or
sulked when n Democratic convention ran
counter to his views in naming candidates
or formulating platforms. When he was
beaten he submitted cheerfully and took
off his coat and went to work to elect the
ticket. Always liberal, he has never
been in any sense of the term corrupt
contributor to the campaign funds 0i MS
marty. He has been the most liberal when
his personal interests were the most re-
| ha hn
Icrly and persistently fighting him you
will find boiling record. Mr.. Camden Is
neither bolter, kicker, nor squealer.
lie is Democrat; not for Camden, but Tor
the Democratic party. He believes in the
plaip. open, legitimate methods OF the
Democratic party, and stands Loyalty by
them. rs much so when the majority OF the
convention opposes as when it comedies
with his views. He does not believe that
political independence and proper party
discipline and allegiance are Incompatible.
But have kept out Of this discussion,
trusting to an amicable adjustment, and
still believe that it will come in the end.
| have no desire or intention to reflect up
on or impugn any ones motives"
'Do you think that the Federal patron
age has been improperly used IN TINS
State?n
mo, sir; and it has not. That Is per-
haps the cry of disappointment. Neither
my colleague nor myself has sought to make
a lever of it. Such patronage as we have
influenced has been placed not for private
ends but for public good. With numer,
Gus applicants for the same position, good
and efficient men were necessarily dlsap-
pointed. 1t could not be otherwise. Where
only one is to be chosen out of six equally
good and efficient, it is neither An abuse OF
power nor reflection upon the hVe, IN
making a selection. Reasonable men ol
course see and appreciate this. Dic you
ever find recipe that met the require
ments of unreasonable mem"
81 never did"
CAMDEN Oh Bust"
Speaker Rowan, of the House Of Dele,
gates, who left this morning for his home
in Monroe county, anticipates quite siege
of it
at will he Camden or Bust, was bis
forecast of the Senatorial struggle.
Then there will be a ballot for Sena'